Stratford Town chairman Jed McCrory calls on the 'Bardy Army' to get behind boss Gavin Hurren

He told the Herald: “This club has always had an issue finding the right manager to understand this level of football.

“Over the years the fans have always been against whatever manager has been in charge but I understand their frustrations at the moment.

“Gavin has spoken to the senior players and they still want him as manager and I myself still want him to lead this team because I think, when it all clicks, he will have a great future in the game.

“He is one of the most honourable men in football and he works extremely hard behind the scenes, his whole ethos is right for this club.”

He added: “Sometimes, though, it’s not a case of questioning the manager, it’s about questioning the players and their desire to play for the club.

“Statistically we’ve been better in the majority of the games but we’ve not been able to score goals. I’m confident we will turn things around but the players have got to take some responsibility. They have to run that extra yard quicker or jump that extra inch higher.

“It’s decisions players make on the pitch that ultimately lead to a manager being sacked. The players have to show the fans they want to play for this club.

“I’m not going to dig any individuals out but the whole group has to be held accountable. The coaching team are working hard to turn things around and the players have to show they care instead of just turning up to take some money home.”

The poor run of form is the polar opposite of how the season started, with the Bards losing just one of their first eight league games and looking like “dark horses” for success.

However, McCrory explained how previous manager Dean Holdsworth had “dropped the club in it” by resigning from his position prior to the FA Cup game against Banbury United.

“When Dean came in he was only supposed to be unavailable for one game every month because of his work duties abroad but he was hardly here at all during the first eight or nine games,” he said.

“What’s disappointing is that Dean made that commitment to the club and the whole idea of bringing Gavin in was to be his number two. Dean was barely there for training and probably only appeared at four competitive games, so Gavin had essentially been dealing with the team from the start of the season.

“Dean then decided to resign from his position as manager just before the Banbury United game but he told the players first instead of the board. The players were furious with that and it meant Dean had dropped the club and Gavin right in it.

“Gavin was left in a difficult place but we felt it was right to let him continue as manager.”

Obviously, though, football is a results-driven business and McCrory did admit if he has to change the manager, he will, but ultimately he wants Hurren and the rest of the staff to succeed.

“Something has to change at some point and it would be a huge shame if it means replacing people who really want to be at this club,” he said.

“I believe in Gavin and Keenen (Meakin-Richards – assistant manager) but we do need to start winning games.

“Both myself and the rest of the board have a duty of care to keep this club at step three.

“Football is a ferocious business and managers always come and go, whether it’s them moving to bigger and better things or being sacked.

“All managers go through tough times, so Gavin needs the support from the fans because he is a proper man and if we can come through this difficult patch then the club will benefit. I understand why the fans might want a new manager but change is not always a good thing.”

The Bards are at home to title-chasing Leiston on Saturday (3pm) before welcoming play-off hopefuls Redditch United to the Arden Garages Stadium on Tuesday (7.45pm).